Use of Displacement Damage Dose in an Engineering Model of GaAs Solar Cell Radiation Damage

In this study we have combined a method of calculating radiation induced damage to solar cells using Non-Ionizing Energy Loss (NIEL), with models of Earth orbiting radiation in arbitrary orbits, to assess the lifetime of solar cells. This paper provides a comparison of the NIEL technique to results from the JPL Radiation Handbook, and to actual space experimental damage results. In addition, we discuss ways of extending the calculation to newer solar cell materials, as well as environments outside of the Earth's orbit.